Overall Philosophy
Podcast of Alfie Kohn on Classroom Management at http://feeds.feedburner.com/Technology4Teachers


Starting a Class

It is important to set the tone of your class from the very beginning. Here are some good tips.

  1. Put an Outline on the Board - Include a title reflecting your topic, and 3-6 brief points about what will be done.
  2. Give Students "Before the Bell Work" - Start the class with student doing work as they arrive - give them a questions, problem, practice questions. Clicker here for some Bell Work ideas
  3. Get Their Attention - Eventually you have to start the class (gulp) - Do this right by turning the lights on and off or counting down in a "teacher" voice
    5-4-3-2-1. Here are some other ideas for getting the class to pay attention.

Transitions

This is a big problem for newbie teachers - There are a lot of steps required to start a new activity. Click here and be prepared,

Suggestions for Managing a Class

Here are some alternative approaches to using rewards and punishment to manage your class